Tissue-engineered Arteries and Microvessels Based on Cell-Remodeled Fibrin and Cellular Self-Assembly

We are attempting to develop engineered cardiovascular tissues based on the approach of entrapping cells when forming a fibrin gel within an appropriate mold. The cell induced contraction of the network of native protein fibrils is harnessed by applying appropriate mechanical constraints to obtain the desired alignment of fibrils and cells. The beneficial effects of long-term cyclic stretching of the tissue constructs and interstitial flow through them are presented.